Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Lewis-Clark State College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,248

Est. from national median (299 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$7,913

Est. from national median (94 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationally, Lewis-Clark State College's precision metal working certificate appears to deliver modest first-year returns of around $36,000—a figure that sits well below what similar programs produce elsewhere in Idaho. The state median for this credential is roughly $52,000, with Idaho State University graduates earning over $64,000 and even College of Western Idaho alumni starting near $40,000. That $15,000 gap between this program's estimated outcome and the Idaho median represents real money that compounds over a career, particularly in a skilled trade where experience typically drives wage growth.

The debt load looks manageable at an estimated $7,900, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 that most families would find workable. This isn't about unaffordable debt—it's about whether the earnings potential justifies even modest borrowing when peer programs in Idaho suggest significantly stronger outcomes. The $90-per-week difference between this program's estimated earnings and the state median matters more than the monthly loan payment.

Before committing, contact Lewis-Clark directly to ask about actual graduate outcomes and job placement specifics. The wide variation among Idaho programs—from $36,000 to $64,000 in first-year earnings—suggests that program quality, industry connections, or regional job markets create meaningful differences. Understanding where Lewis-Clark's graduates actually land, rather than relying on national estimates, is essential for judging whether this certificate delivers competitive value in Idaho's precision metalworking industry.

Where Lewis-Clark State College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Idaho

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Idaho (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston	$7,388	$36,248*	—	$7,913*	—
Idaho State UniversityPocatello	$8,356	$64,581*	$55,405	$9,000*	0.14
College of Western IdahoNampa	$3,336	$39,310*	$46,675	$7,000*	0.18
National Median	—	$36,248*	—	$9,000*	0.25

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates

Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

$60,850/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Tool and Die Makers

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

$51,000/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lewis-Clark State College, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 299 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.